LET'S CELEBRATE!

We would like to thank everyone for all the support and prayers for Ron's healing. We are having an "Open House" on Sunday, March 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 to celebrate the success of the chemotherapy. We appreciate ALL the help and support you have given to Ron and the whole family! If you can make the open house, we would love to see you. We (of course) will have "food".

February 20

We (Aaron, Tiffany, Michael, Tory, Amber, Andy, Kath, and I) just got finished meeting with the doctors in Portland and going over my test results. We are very excited!!! The last bout of chemo not only stopped the tumor, but actually shrank it. The doctors and nurses were very pleased with how I looked and with how good my labs were. The next step will be to start radiation in about two weeks. I am being taken off all medications, and start reducing my fentanyl patch. I will have my picc line taken out next Wednesday. I look forward to that because I will then be able to take a shower for the first time in months! I was told that I should continue my walks and that I could also ride a bike. Not allowed to run, but will manage with the other exercise that I get. All in all, I am thrilled! Thanks again for all your thoughts and comments. Since nothing will be changing until I start my radiation, I will not be putting anything new on this blog. Love you all, and keep those positive thoughts going. Hope to get to walk with some of you in the future. Feel free to write on this blog if you want to get anything to me. I will keep checking it every other day or so. Thanks again.

February 18

This is the kind of weather that we have been waiting for! Had a very busy weekend with many miles put in. Friday I walked about 7 and a half miles (with Carl, Barry, and my wife) Also my daughter Tiffany spent the night with us on Friday. Saturday Michael came down from Beaverton and I walked four different times with distances of 2 and a half miles, 3 miles, 2 miles, and finally one mile. Thanks to my wife and my children, I was able to keep going all day. Then Sunday, we drove to Albany and met Penny and Judy (friends from childhood), and walked around the downtown area of Albany for an hour. Had lunch with my mom, Michael, Judy, Penny, and my wife at the Depot. Nice to see that I had an appetite (three prawns, two pieces of fish, large shrimp salad, and fries!) Got home and Kath and I walked another mile. Today I am going to mow a little of the back lawn and of course, walk again. Planning on having dinner with friend Bill Rupp tonight and watching Rambo. I feel like watching a no think movie and kicking back. The only negative seems to be the sleeping habit. I just am not tired and can't seem to sleep at night. My mind just will not rest. Tomorrow are my tests in Portland (MRI and Catscan). Wednesday we meet with the doctors to go over the tests and plot where to go from here. Part of the no sleep could be from worrying about the upcoming tests. I just want to make sure that Kath gets plenty of sleep. I worry about her not keeping healthy. Thanks again for all the comments on the blog. Nice to have wonderful friends!!

February 15

Last two days have been beautiful, weather wise. Have been able to log several miles. Put in 6.5 miles walking Friday thanks to my wife, Barry and Carl. Today, I put in 2.5 miles in the morning with my wife and 4.5 miles in the afternoon with my daughter Tiffany (and of course her dog Bailey). Taste buds appear to be coming back. Feeling pretty strong on the walks, no longer feeling that exhausted. Will be watching to see when the hair decides it wants to come back. Finally, yesterday at Costco my wife and I were sampling, as we do very well at Costco when we came across a seafood gumbo dish that was very spicy and I could really taste. So we bought some for the evening meal which I finished, went back to Costco to get more and they no longer have them. I, out of anyone should know, that if you find something you like at Costco you should buy lots of it because you know it wont be there the next time you go. Just to show how my tastebuds are going, had three tacos for lunch with 5 packets of hot sauce per taco. I am trying to jump start these tastebuds. Have set several future walks starting Sunday through next week with various individuals. Everything is up in the air until tests on Tuesday and Wednesday, then we will know where we are. But I am feeling good and looking good, Tiff thinks so anyway :). Love hearing the responses on the blog. Thanks to everybody! enjoyed seeing my youngest son this week and my eldest daughter and I look forward to seeing my eldest son tomorrow. It is fun having Tiff and our grandpuppy spend the night with us tonight. It was also great to see everyone else I had the pleasure of visiting with this week. Thanks again!

February 12 - Feeling better

Was released from OHSU at around 11 o'clock am on Monday with a mess of medication (thank heavens that I have an incredible wife that can keep track of the names, when to give them, and pronounce their names). These first six nights are the roughest since I have to be medicated at midnight and 4AM. Once over that hump, it is down to just two pills at 10AM and 10PM. Tuesday after we were home, Kath walked me just the length of the block and back two times during the day and I had to use my walking staff (present from my bro BC) to help balance. I was very groggy and had a hard time at it, but it was a start. Then today, Kath and I walked 2 and a quarter miles at 10AM without the walking staff! Then later in the day around 2PM, Barry and I walked for another 2 and a quarter miles! The only problem seems to be these blasted hiccups. Can't seem to get them to stop, even with pills. They really zap me. It gets tough to try and talk when every other word you have to interrupt with a hiccup! The plan is now that I will have my CAT Scan and MRI on Tuesday of next week to see what the chemo did. Then meet with the doctors on Wednesday about planning the radiation treatment. I am feeling good except for the hiccups. Thanks for all your positive thoughts over the past week.

Home

Well, dad and mom are now in the comfort of their home. YAY!! Dad was released late this afternoon. Dad is very very groggy. The medications are doing their job at keeping the nausea at bay & the hiccups under control (for the most part), but they make him drowsy. Needless to say, they will be napping for the next few days. The drs said it would be about 6 days until dad feels a little more normal. Mom & dad are both looking forward to sleeping in longer stints than the 1 to 2 hours they have grown accustomed to (w/the extra hydration & the checking of dad's vitals so frequently, it was very difficult to get any good REM sleep in the hospital).

Dad will let you know through the website when he's up to walkers/visitors/phone calls. Thank you for all your understanding with that! Much love to you all!

Just kidding

I should know better than to jinx something as wonderful as dad checking out of OHSU for his last chemo treatment....

Shortly after the last entry was posted I was informed that dad would not be coming home today & it would hopefully be tomorrow, instead. This information was given & received with mixed emotions. Dad started to feel a little nauseous today. Dad & mom decided it would be best for dad to stay under the care of the nurses & drs until they found the correct mix of medications to quell it. As much as they both want to be home, they felt this was the right decision (good call!). So...if all goes well for the remainder of tonight & tomorrow morning, dad & mom will be in the comfort of their own home with Little Kitty by their sides tomorrow afternoon.

Home sweet home...hopefully

Hello & good morning to all! I apologize for the days in between...it's because life has been good & not horrible (when things are on the positive slope, it's easy to get caught up in it & forget to update the blog - I truly am sorry to all of you).

Dad is still doing great. He's been going on walks around the floor in the hospital, he's been sitting up for different stretches of time, he's eating, he's able to watch tv, & is able to talk. He does keep getting those darn hiccups, but the nurses are quick to give him the drug that is supposed to help them subside. As of last night late....dad is still on target to get home late this afternoon. They are going to treat the nausea very aggressively this time. Hopefully they find the right mix of medications this time & dad doesn't have to worry about it at all.

& HOPEFULLY, the next post you get is from dad in the very near future. :)

Daddy & mommy....you're almost there....just a few more hours....NO MORE CHEMO!!!!! A big congratulations to making through it & for still having your sanity.

Congratulations to everyone that is continually checking in through this blog....we made it through as well. I know how hard it is to sit on the sidelines. To not be able to converse with dad, for those of us that see him frequently, it's hard to sit at home. Dad & mom are constantly in our thoughts & there is literally nothing we can do. Many times we feel helpless. But, despite what you may think....you have contributed to the success of dad's chemo. He & mom would not have made it through this extremely trying time without this incredibly strong & positive support group. This I am 100% certain about. Your emails, letters, posts, love, prayers, thoughts, walks, all the little things each individual has done are truly amazing. Dad, mom, & our family are blessed. Our lives are much richer thanks to all of you. The support you have given mom, dad, & us kids is astounding. So, thank you, & know that we mean it from the bottom of our hearts.

All of our love to you & your families - The Careys

February 7

Good evening to all!

Dad's doing much better today (a nice change from the past 2 chemo treatments). He looks great (well, for a guy that's hooked up to medication that nurses can't touch because it's so hazardous)! They had that vegetable quiche for lunch again today. Needless to say, mom went to the cafeteria & bought him a burger & a Haagen Dazs bar - much better option. Tonight dad ordered a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, some apple pie, & broccoli for dinner. It was either that or the salisbury steak. Good choice dad! He has no nausea right now, but the shakes are hitting him intermittently. Hopefully they stay away for another 48 hours. He & mom are watching a lot of senseless tv in the hospital (yep, just like at home). Michael & Amber rented them Wedding Crashers (fantastic choice) & The Comebacks. Hopefully they help pass the time in an enjoyable way.

February 6

I'm not sure if my parents (or siblings) will post anything tonight, but I'm sure many will be wondering...yes...dad did finally get a room. He will be hydrated for 4 hours & then they will start the chemo drip (there will be no delay with that, tonight, because the medication is already up on the oncology floor - YEAH, something went smoothly!) at about 11:30pm.

Mom & dad went to Great Harvest this morning for lemon poppyseed scones & they waited around to hear from the hospital. They finally headed up to Portland at about 3:30pm. I can tell you that dad was thrilled because he was able to drive. Yep, the dr gave him the green light yesterday.

It's hospital time...yep...please no phone calls until it's all done...it's the last time we have to say this...WA-FREAKING-HOO!!!

More will be posted tomorrow night late (if dad doesn't end up writing a post tonight). Time for many happy thoughts again...I'm raising my glass of cab for you & mom, dad! The next glass will be raised for all of you that continue to follow this blog, to call & write, think of our family, pray for our family, & love our family! Here's to the last round!!!

February 5

Delay again. Kath and I drove to Portland at 8:30 this morning for my blood tests. The results came back and the nurse said everything looks great on paper, which is good. We got ready to check in to the hospital after that and found out that there were no available rooms. So we headed home and have to call tomorrow to see when we can get a room. On the bright side, I get to eat another meal at home and was able to have lunch at Costco. Also another night sleeping at home will be nice. Think I will hit Great Harvest for a lemon poppyseed scone for breakfast before we leave. The down side is that now the earliest I will be home is probably Monday. Again I hope it goes smoothly. Hope you all have a good end of this week and a relaxing weekend.

February 3

Just watched my daughter Tory run the Zena Road Run Race this morning. My wife, Kath, and my son-in-law, Chris, walked a bit while the runs were taking place. My daughter won her division as did her co-worker, Mike. Her other friend, Tanya, placed third. Fun watching, but really made me anxious to get back on the roads. I'll be back there in a few months. The weather was perfect for running. Fun seeing familiar faces at the run. Brought back great memories. I was able to do several walks with Kath today, thanks to the great weather. Been having a great time with our new DVR on the television. Wonderful not having to sit through commercials any more. Watched the last few minutes of the Super Bowl. Much better than everyone thought it would be. Glad the Giants won. I was tired of hearing about the Patriots and how great they were. This will be my last entry for awhile. I go in to the hospital for my last chemo this Tuesday. It will be nice to have that done. I hope this goes smoother than the other three have. I will communicate on my blog as soon as I start feeling better from this last chemo. I hope the hiccups and upset stomach stay away this time. I look forward to getting back home and seeing if this DVR has worked. I have it set to record all MASH, Home Improvement, King of Queens, and Everybody Loves Raymond. As you can see I am in to all no-brainer comedies!! I will check my blog during this time when I feel up to it, but I just won't be replying until my brain is functioning up to speed. Love you all.